One of the key aims of treatment for diabetes is to keep the glucose levels as close to normal throughout the day as possible. Doing this reduces the immediate risk from high or low glucose levels (hyperglycaemia and hypogylcaemia).

When well-managed, type 1 diabetes should not stop people from leading full and normal lives.

Insulin deficiency & type 1 diabetes

Insulin is a hormone that acts as a 'key' to move glucose, our body's energy building block, from the bloodstream into the body’s cells where it is used to provide energy. In type 1 diabetes, little or no insulin is made by the pancreas, so the glucose stays in your bloodstream giving you high blood glucose, or hyperglycaemia. Your cells become short of glucose, so they try to use fats to provide energy – this can lead to a dangerous build-up of waste products called ketones.

Ketones are a type of acid that is produced when the body burns fat for energy instead of glucose. This happens when there isn't enough glucose or insulin circulating in the bloodstream. Using fat for energy some of the time is normal. However, if it goes on for too long high levels of ketones in the bloodstream are dangerous and can lead to coma or even death.

Causes

The exact cause of type 1 diabetes is unknown, but it is thought to be an autoimmune condition. In autoimmune conditions, our body's immune system is confused and attacks our own cells. In type 1 diabetes, the cells that are damaged are the beta cells in the pancreas that make insulin.

When first diagnosed with type 1 diabetes, a person may still be producing some insulin. Over time more insulin producing cells are damaged, until the body can no longer produce any of it's own.

Who is at risk?

Only about 10% of all people with diabetes have type 1 diabetes. Type 1 diabetes is most common in children or young adults, however it can occur at any age.

You have a slightly higher chance of developing type 1 diabetes if you have a closely related family member who also has it. This suggests that genetic factors may also play a part.

Symptoms for type 1 diabetes

Symptoms of type 1 diabetes are caused by high blood glucose levels (hyperglycaemia) and can come on very quickly. People can get quite sick when they first get type 1 diabetes and often need to be in hospital for a few days. Symptoms can include:

feeling very thirsty

having to pass urine a lot more than normal

no energy

blurred vision

rapid weight loss

sores that do not heal

recurring infection in the urinary system, vagina, mouth or throat

poor concentration and performance

feeling very hungry.

If a diagnosis is not made quickly, severe dehydration can occur.

Treatment of type 1 diabetes

While there is no cure for diabetes, since the development of artificial insulin, type 1 diabetes can be well managed and controlled. The aim of treatment is to give the right amount in insulin to balance what you eat with how much energy you need throughout the day. Successful management of type 1 diabetes involves:

Self care for type 1 diabetes

What do I need to do?

You can reduce any cardiovascular risk factors by working with your healthcare team (doctor, nurse or pharmacist) to:

keep your cholesterol down

keep your weight in a healthy range

control your blood pressure

stop smoking or remain smokefree

reduce salt in your diet

learn how to fine tune your insulin doses with different meal sizes and activity levels.

Managing low blood glucose (hypoglycaemia)

Although people with type 1 diabetes are trying to keep their blood glucose level from going too high, it is also important to stop it going too low. If the blood glucose drops below 4 mmol/L this is called low blood glucose or hypoglycaemia. This can be caused by, for example, injecting too much insulin or not eating enough of the right food at the right time.

Symptoms include sweating, shakiness, light-headedness, and can lead to unconsciousness if not treated. Low blood glucose must be raised urgently, with quick-acting carbohydrate such as glucose tablets (or glucagon injections if the person is unconscious).

Blood glucose testing

To test your blood glucose level throughout the day, we use a small finger prick test to obtain a drop of blood which can be put onto a testing strip. The testing strip is inserted into a blood glucose meter and gives a result within seconds.

A normal reading is between 4 to 7 mmol/L (glucose is measured in millimoles per litre of blood).

Check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist what your target level should be.

If the level is below 4 mmol/L, you will usually need to eat something.

If the level is above 7 mmol/L, you may need to alter your insulin dose or do something active.

Learning how to balance these levels with what you eat, how much insulin you give yourself and how active you are key to managing your diabetes.

Healthy eating and exercise

We all need some carbohydrate foods. The important difference for people with diabetes is a greater need to balance what they eat with how active they are.

Carbohydrate foods with a low glycaemic index (low GI) are digested (broken down to glucose) more slowly.

This results in a more gradual rise in blood glucose levels, helping to give a more even blood glucose levels.

Eat breakfast, lunch and dinner at regular times of the day with snacks in between as advised by your dietitian or nurse.

Regular exercise is also essential to maintain a healthy blood glucose level.

Cut back on:

refined carbohydrates (cakes or pastries)

sweets, added sugar, and foods high in sugar

food that is high in fat are also best avoided.

Stress management and illness

Managing stress is especially important. Blood glucose levels are more difficult to control if you are under stress, so you may need to monitor them more frequently.

Make sure you know what to do when unwell and have a 'sick day' plan.

If you are vomiting or have diarrhoea, see a doctor for urgent medical help as the risk of dehydration is greater.

Preventing complications of type 1 diabetes

In the long term, poor diabetes control increases the risk of serious complications such as:

problems with vision, or blindness

heart attack or stroke

kidney failure

circulatory problems, possibly leading to amputations

impotence in men.

With good control of your diabetes, many of these complications can be prevented or slowed down so make sure to have your regular check-ups with your doctor or nurse so that potential problems can be detected and treated early.

Support for type 1 diabetes

Most people cope well with support from health professionals, partners, family/whanau, diabetes support groups and diabetes educators. With a clear understanding of the condition, you can lead a normal, fulfilling life.

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